Counterbalance



Marchl 4, 1941.

`L. F. BURNHAM COUNTERBALANCE Filed May 2.6, 1959 m# m5 my m0 5 51% ceo@ A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE coUNTERBALANcE Application May 26, 1939,Serial No. 275,881

16 Claims. (C1. 74-,590)

My invention relates in general to counterbalances for swinging beams and relates in particular to a counterbalance for a walking beam,

y such as used in well pumping equipment.

In pumping equipment voi this ygeneral type it is customary to support a walking beam by means' `of a bearing disposed at the upper end of a Samson post, the string of sucker rods being y connected to the frontend of the walking beam, 10 and the pitman `for reciprocating the walking beam and the -counterbalance for balancing the load on the walking beam being connected .to the rear end of the walking beam. In some types of equipment, the counterbalance is connected tothe walking "beam crank which operates the pitman so as to rotate therewith, while in other types of equipment the counterbalance comprises weights mounted directly upon the walking beam. The'present invention relates to this latter type of counterbalance construction. f

It-:is an object of the invention to provide va counterbalance comprising Ia plurality of weight` memberswhich may be secured in desired num- -beron the rearward `.portion of the Walking beam and which are applied to the beam `in interlock- "ing arrangement. A feature of the present construction is that the weight members are positively held against rthe inner face of a permanently secured Vabutment part of the walking 30 fbeam.

It is known that there are types of counterbalance construction in which the weights are secured to a beam by means of clamps or bolts,

and it has been found that Where such types of construction have been employed the loosening of bolts or clamps will result in the Weight parts `beingthrown from the walking beam.

It is an-object of the present invention to provide a counterbalance construction wherein the lweight members may be placed on the walking beam'by moving lthem inward from positions at the sides ofthe beam and to provide such weight -members with cooperating overlapping portions having means of interengagement vwhen the weight members are in'place on the beam, such means ofv interengagement preventing removal of the weight members from'the beam in lateral direction without iirst separating the weight members by suitablemovement of one or more =50 .of them longitudinallyalong the beam.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a weight member which is so formed that (it maybe applied to the Walking beam from .either side thereof, and when so applied will overflap :and interlock Vwith 1a weight member oflike form applied to the beam from the other side thereof.

AA further object of the invention is to provide a counterbalance beam construction Wherein the ybeam is provided with Aa permanently secured abutment at or near the end thereof, such abutment providing a face lying in a plane substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of thewalking beam, against which abutment the weightmembers may be assembled and which abutment will prevent throwing of the weight members from the end vof the beam.

' A further Aobject is to provide a counterbalance constructionwherein an assembly of cooperating weight members is applied to the walking beam,

and through whichweight members bolts may `be passedto secure the Weight members in a compact assembly, and, if desired, to hold the Weight members against the abutment of the walking beam. The arrangement of the cooperating parts is such that loosening or loss of a bolt will not result in the weight members being thrown from Ithe walking beam.

An object of the invention'is toprovide a Weight member which maybe conveniently employed in multiple arrangement on a Walking beam so as to provide a counterbalance of desired size by merely placing-a suitable'number of the cooperat. ing Weight members on the beam.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a weight member, adapted to be used in multiple with other weight members of like form, such weight member having a body portion to lie adjacent a side of thevrwalking beam and having parts extending therefrom so as to pass across the upper and lower faces of the walking beam. Such laterally extending parts are referred to as' 'plates or Wings and in the preferred practice of the invention have a thickness equal to substantially'half the thickness of the body of a weight so that when the wings are placed in overlapping face `to face .engagement on a beam they will ysubstantially occupy a space dened by the planes of the front and rear faces of the bodyl of a Weight member. f A further object of the invention is to provide a weight member having .cooperating lugs and recesses so formed thereon that when a pair of lsuch Weight members are placed in overlapping arrangement lfrom opposite sides of a Walking f beam, the lugs and recesses of the Weightfmemvbers willinterengage and prevent lateral movement of such weight members.

Further objectswreferring to the drawing:` Eig. .1. is -a fragmentary elevation showing a Weight member made in accordance with the inlWalking beam III.

counterbalance walking beam in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a View of the right end of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on a plane indicated by the line 3-3`0f Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view takenas indicated by the lin'e 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective View of a vention.

In Fig. 1 I show the rear end of a walking beam IQ having a stirrup I I provided with openf ings I2 by which a pitman rod may be connected to the Walking beam II) to reciprocate the same. At the rear end of the walking beam Ii'tlriere is a counterbalance I3 comprising an assembly of cooperating weights I4 and I4' having the general form shown in perspective in Fig.-6.

Each Weight member is of rectangular form with a notch I5 extending inward from a side thereof, the height of such notch being substantially the same as the height ofthe Walking beam Iii. In the preferred practice of the invention, the beam I comprises a structural I-beam having a web I6 and projecting flanges I1. Where the beam I0 comprises such I-beam, slots 'I8 `are extended from the bottom of the notch I to receive flanges I'I when the Weight memberY I4 is applied to the beam I0. Each weight member I4 has a body 20 to lie adjacent a side of the beam I, and from the upper and lower ends of thebcdy 2D platesorwings 2| are extended so as to lie above and below and dei'lne the notch I5. Thesewings 2l are preferably formed so that the rear face thereof will be co-planar with the rear face of the body 20, and the thickness t of each wing is substantially half the thickness T of thev body 20. The body 2|) of each weight I4 `has a bolt opening 22 therethrough as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and the body 2E] of each weight` I4 has a notch therein as shownin Figs. 4 and 6. A lugl 23 projects from the front face of .each wing 2|, adjacent the body 20. y Each wing 2| is likewisey provided with a recess 24 disposed nearvv the unsupported end thereof or remote from the body 20. The lugs 23 are preferably conoidal and the recesses .24 may be conoidal openings which passY through thewingsZI.. ,y

As best lshownin Fig. 4, an abutment plate 26 is Welded adjacent the end, of the beam I0. vAs shown yin Fig. 2, this abutment plate 26 is rectangular in forml andvhas an I-shaped opening 2' I so that it may be slipped on Vto the end of the beam ID a sufcient distance'to expose the extreme end 28 of the beam II).l Welds 29 and' 3|] are then applied to secure theplate permanently to the beam I0 vin a positionv lwherein the inner face of the plateZ lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the A plurality of Weight members I4 and I4 are employed in the counterbalance I3, such Weight members being vemployed in pairs, one member of each pair being moved'intoposition on the Walking beam I0 from one side thereof and the other member ofthe pair being moved into position on the' walking beam from the other side thereof. When a Weight member I4 is rotated on a vertical axis'throughan angle of 180 from the position of the weight member shownvin Fig. 6, suchl second weight member `may be placed in overlapping relation to the rst Weight member, with the front faces of the cooperating Wings in engagement, and with the lugs 23 projecting into the recesses 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 wherein ve pairs of weight members are shown assembled upon the beam I0. When the weight members I4 are assembled, as shown, the bolt holes 22 and the notches 38 Will be aligned so that tie bolts 35 may be 'passed'itherethrough The tie bolts 35 yalso pass through' openings 31 in the abutment plates 26 and preferably have lock-nuts 36 on the endsthereof. By use of the tie bolts 35, the assembly of- Weight members I4 will be clamped tightly against the inner or left- Ward face of the abutment plate 2E.

The notches or slots will make it possible to remove or install one or more pairs of weight members Without removing the tie bolts 35. Should it be desired toremove a pair of the weight members I4 to reduce the weight of the counterbalance I3, thetie bolts 35 vmay be loosened suiciently to permit` separation of adjacent Weight members I4 to provide suiiicient space for disengagement of the lugs 23 l'from the recesses 24 of the cooperating pair of weight members I4 which are to be removed. The reverse of this procedure may be used when it is desired to add weight members I4 to the assembly forming the counterbalance I3.

I have herein shown a simple and practical vembodiment of my invention. Variations in form and arrangement may be employed Without departing from the principles ofthe invention; therefore, the invention is not limited to the details hereinbefore described but should. be accorded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: y

1. In a counterbalance for a -beam of the character described, the combination of: an abutment securableV to the rearward portion of thev beam; and a counterweight element to be placed adjacent the inner face ofA said abutment comprising Weight members formed so as to be placed on said beam `from opposite sides thereof,

each of said weight members havingran upper wing which extends across the upperfface of said beam and a lower jwing` which extends across the lower face of said.V beam, said weight members having partswhich interlock so as to prevent lateral movement of said weight memberswhen 1 the samerare in face to face engagement on said beamj ,i i

2. Ina counterbalance for abeamof thecharacter described, thecombination of: an abutment securableto the rearward portion, of the beam; and a counterweight element to be yplaced adjacent the innerV lface-of said abutment comprising weight members formedso astobe placed on saidbeam from opposite sides'thereof, each of said weight members'having a-body which lies adjacent a sidepf said ,.beam, an upper wing whichl extends across the upper face of said beam,

and a lower `Wing which extendsV across the lower facebfsaidl beam, said Wings each being substantially half thegthickness of said body, and! said AWeight members having parts Which interlock soastto prevent lateral `movement Vof said weight members when the same areA in face to face engagement onnsaid beam.,

3. In a counterbalance for a beam of the character described, the combination of: an abutmentsecurable to the rearwardfportion of the beam; and a countervfeight elementi to be placed adjacent the inner face. of said vabutment comprising weight me'mbers form'edso as to bek ifo placed ron said beam from opposite sides thereof, each offl said weight members comprising a body to rest adjacent a side `of said beam, said body having a 'front vface andra `rear face and having an upper wing to extend across the upper face of said beam, and a lower wing to extend across the lower face of said beam, each of said wings having Ia rear face substantially coplanar with the rear face of said body and each wing having a thickness substantially half that of said body so t-hat when said weight members are placed on said beam from opposite sides thereof the wings thereof will lie in overlapping engagement and occupy the space defined by the planes of the front and rear faces of the bodies of said weight members.

4. In a counterbalance for a beam of the character described, "the combination of: an abutment securable to the rearward portion of the beam; and a counterweight element to be placed adjacent the inner face lof said abutment comprising weight members formed so as to be placed on said beam from opposite sides thereof, each of said weight members comprising a body to rest adjacent a side of said beam, said body having-a front face :and a rear face and having an upper wing to extend Yacross the upper face of said beam, and a lower wing to extend 4across the lower face of -said beam, each of said wings having a rear face substantially coplanar with the rear face of said body and each wing having a thickness substantially half that of said body so that when said weight members are placed on said beam from opposite sides thereof the wings thereof will lie in overlapping yengagement and occupy the space defined by the planes of the front and rear faces of the bodies of said weight members, each of said bodies having cooperating projections and recesses which interlock when said bodies are in face .to face position on said -b'eam lso as to resist removal of said bodies from said beam.

5. In a counterbalance for a beam of the character described, the combination of an abutment securable to the rearward portion of the beam; and a counterweight element to be placed adjacent the inner face of said abutment comprising weight members formed so as to be placed on said beam from opposite sides thereof, each of said weight members comprising a body to rest adjacent a side of said beam, said body having a front face and a rear face and having an upper wing to extend across the upper face of said beam, and a lower wing to extend across the lower face of said beam, each of said wings having a rear face substantially coplanar with the rear face of said body and each wing having a thickness substantially half that of said body so that when said weight members are placed on said beam from opposite sides thereof the wings thereof will lie in overlapping engagement and occupy the space defined by the planes of the front and rear faces of the bodies of said weight members, each of said wings of said bodies having a projecting lug and a recess on the front thereof so positioned that when two of said weight members are placed in overlapping position with the front faces of said wings in engagement, the said lugs and recesses will interengage.

6. In a weight member to be used in multiple in a counterweight for a walking beam, the combination of a body adapted to lie adjacent a side of the beam; and upper and lower wing members extended laterally from the upper and llower ends of said body so as to extend across the upper 'and lower faces of said beam, said Wing members being substantially half the thickness of said body so that when a number of said weight members are placed on said beam in alternate -order lfrom opposite sides of the beam, said wing members will lie in overlapping arrangement and adjacent of said bodies will be in face to face engagement.

y7. In a weight member to be used in multiple in acounterweight for a walking beam, the combination of: a body adapted to lie adjacent a side of the beam; and upper and lower wing members extended laterally from the upper and lower ends of said body so as to extend across the upper and lower faces of said beam, saidwing members being substantially half the thickness of said body so that when a number of said weight members are placed on said beam in alternate order from opposite sides of the beam, said wing members will lie in overlapping arrangement and adjacent of said bodies will be in face to face engagement, said wing members| having cooperating shoulders so that when a plurality of said weight `members are arranged on said beam, shoulders on the wing members of one of said weight members will cooperate with the shoulders of the wing members of the adjacent weightl member to prevent movement of the adjacent weight members apart in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

8. In a weight member to be used in multiple in a counterweight for-a walking beam, the combination of a body adapted to lie adjacent a side of the beam; and upper and lower wing members extended laterally from the upper and lower ends of said body so as to extend over the upper and lower faces of said beam, said wing members having cooperating shoulders for engagement with the ycooperating shoulders of a like wing member when a pair of weight members are placed'on said beam from opposite sides thereof, said shoulders being disengageable only by relative movement of said weight members in a direction lengthwise of said beam.

9. In a counterbalance for a beam of the character described, the combination of: an abutment near the end of said beam; an assembly of vertical weight members slidable on said beam so as to form a stack resting against said abutment; bolt means passing through said weight members to hold them to said abutment, said bolt means being releasable so that said weight members may be separated; and an insertable weight member adapted to be inserted sidewardly in said assembly of weight members and to be clamped therein, said insertable weight member having a slot therein to receive said bolt means.

10. In a counterbalance for a beam of the character described, the combination of t an abutment near the end of said beam; an assembly of weight members slidable on said beam so as to form a stack resting against said abutment g'bolt means passing through said weight members to hold them to said abutment, said bolt means being releasable so that said weight members may be separated; and an insertable weight member adapted to be inserted in said assembly of weight members and to be clamped therein, said insertable weight member having a body to rest adjacent a face of said beam and laterally extending members to extendA across opposite faces of said beam.

11. In a walking beam counterbalance of the character described, the combination of: a walklying against said shoulder which functions to prevent movement of said weight member off the end of said Walking beam when the same is in motion.

12. In a Walking beam counterbalance of the character described, the combina-tion of: a Walking beam having secured toit near the end thereof an abutment with an inwardly faced shoulder;` and a plurality of Weight members on said walking beam in consecutive order adjacent lsaid inwardly faced shoulder of said abutment, said Weight members being in face to face engagement and the engaging faces thereof have cooperating projections and dep-ressions to prevent relative movement of the engaging weight members in a direction transverse t the length of the walking beam, and the rst of said Weight members lying against said shoulder which functions to prevent movement of said Weight member off the end of said walking beam when the same is in motion.

13. In a weight member to be used in multiple in a counterweight for a Walking beam, the combination of a portion adapted to lie adjacent a. face of said beam; and portions extending laterally from the ends of said first named portion so as to straddle said beam, said weight member being so formed as to be placed on said beam in side-b-y-side relation to similarly formed weight members, and said weight member having a shoulder thereon to engage a shoulder on an adjacent weight member so as to prevent relative movement of the thrust engaging Weight members in a direction transverse to said beam.

14. In a Weight member to be used in multiple in a counterweight for a walking beam, the combination of: a body adapted to lie adjacent a side of the beam; and vupper and lower wing members extended laterally-from the upper and lower ends .of said body so as to extend across the upper and lower faces of said beam, said. Wing membersy being so formed that when a number of said Weight members are placed on said beam in alternate order from opposite sides of the beam, said wingmembers will lie in overlapping face to face engagement, said wing members having cooperating shoulders so that when a plurality of said Weight members are arranged on said beam, shoulders on the wing members of one of said weightA members will cooperate with the shoulders of the wing members of the adjacent weight member to prevent movement of the adjacent Weight members apart in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beam.

l5. In a. walking beam counterbalance of the character described, the combination of: a plurality of vertical Weight members each having a body and a laterally extending wing, said Weight members being assembled on opposite sides of the walking beam from a sideward direction and with said bodies on opposite sides and said wings extending laterally across the top of said walking beam, the Wings of opposite weight members being nested together; and means for holding said wings in interengagement.

16. In a walking beam counterbalance of lthe character described, the combination of: a plurality of vertical weight members each having a body and a laterally extending Wing, said Weight members being assembled on opposite sides of the Walking beam from a sideward'direction and with said bodies on opposite sides and said wings extending laterally across the bottom of said walkingbeam, the wings of opposite Weight members being nested together; and means for holding said wings in interengagement.

LELAND F. BURNHAM. 

